TSAMTO, August 28. Nigeria has resumed negotiations with Russia on the acquisition of a batch of T-90S MBT as part of the creation of a universal and combat-ready armed forces against the background of the unstable situation in the Sahel region.
This information was shared with Military.Africa by a high-ranking military official during the recent International Military-Technical Forum "Army-2023".
According to the publication, the potential acquisition of the T-90S MBT marks the continuation of Nigeria's tradition of using Soviet/Russian-made tanks. Currently, the country's tank fleet has 319 vehicles, including 100 T-55, 10 T-72AV, 31 T-72M1, 172 British Vickers Mk.3 and 30 Chinese VT4. At the same time, T-72s were received in 2014-2015 from the Czech Republic and Ukraine.
Dmitry Shugaev, Director of the FSVTS of Russia, also told RIA Novosti during the Russia-Africa forum in July this year that Nigeria had expressed interest in acquiring Russian fighters, including Checkmate,
According to him, it's too early to talk about contracts. At the same time, the partners are actively looking at Russian models of aviation equipment.
Earlier, D.Shugaev said that Russia partially fulfilled the contract for the supply of Mi-35 combat helicopters to Nigeria. "The contract for the supply of 12 Mi-35 helicopters to Nigeria has been partially fulfilled. The partners are interested in its completion, we continue to work in this direction," D.Shugaev said, without specifying the exact number of helicopters delivered.
On the part of TSAMTO, we recall the situation with the refusal to purchase the T-90 MBT in 2021.
In a report published by the Nigerian Defense Ministry with detailed information on weapons ordered for the SV, Navy and Military Intelligence Directorate, it was reported that 10 T-90 main battle tanks were refused from Russia.
In a document published on April 25, 2021 by the Nigerian news agency PUNCH, it was reported that the deal initially also included several other types of weapons and ammunition worth $99.5 million (37.9 billion naira).
Of the $1 billion approved in 2019 by President Muhammadu Buhari for the purchase of VIVT from oil revenues, $43.68 million was initially allocated for the purchase of 10 T-90 tanks and $20.79 million for 10 armored repair and evacuation vehicles BRAM-4.
On February 5, 2020, the Ministry of Defense of Nigeria refused a contract worth $43.68 million for the purchase of T-90 tanks in favor of purchasing 60 MRAP "Legion" class armored vehicles and 24 4x4 "Phantom-2" (Phantom II) armored personnel carriers from Isotrex (production is located in the free economic zone "Ayman", United Arab Emirates), equipped with a 12.7-mm heavy-caliber machine gun DShK in an armored turret and a Codan HF radio station.
The document entitled "Letter of Award of a contract for the purchase of critical equipment for the Nigerian army, Navy and intelligence agency" stated that 60 Legion armored vehicles were purchased at a cost of 475,587 thousand dollars per unit, the Phantom-2 armored personnel carrier – 385,209 thousand dollars per unit, 12.7 mm DSHK machine guns – $18,750 per unit, Codan radios – $6920 per unit and armored turrets – $29,631 per unit. The total amount of the contract, taking into account pre-sale inspection, spare parts supply, training and maintenance, amounted to the same $43.68 million.
